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    You are here: Home / Fish & Seafood / Mexican Shrimp Skewers

    Mexican Shrimp Skewers

    Douglas Cullen, This blog generates income via ads and affiliate links which earn us a small commission.

    Camarones a la Plancha

    Mexican shrimp skewers is a flavorful, easy recipe you can throw together quickly, even on a weeknight. Kids and grownups alike will be lining up for seconds of this mild shrimp dish that’s fun to cook and eat.

    Mexican Grilled Shrimp with a Side of Rice

    What to Expect from This Recipe

    This shrimp recipe features a very mild guajillo chili sauce made with toasted chilis and other ingredients you can pick up at the grocery store: garlic, onion, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, water and oregano. Blend the sauce, marinade the shrimp and heat on the griddle rather than sauté for a toasty, tasty dish.

    Learn How to Make Mexican Shrimp Skewers

    Ingredients

    • 2 ¼ lbs medium shrimp, heads on or off
    • ¼ white onion, diced
    • 8 guajillo chilis
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup cold water
    • 1 tablespoon oregano
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Ingredients to Make Mexican Grilled Shrimp

    Prepare the Chilis

    Cut the tops off the chilis and slice lengthwise to remove the veins and seeds.

    Removing Seeds from Guajillo Chilis

    Preheat a griddle over medium heat. Place the chilis on the griddle and toast 3 minutes.

    Toasting Guajillo Chilis on Griddle

    Flip the chilis over and toast 3 minutes on the other side.

    Guajillo Chilis Toasting on Griddle

    When the chilis start to smell nice and toasty, remove from the heat and place them in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes to soak and soften. Softer chilis are easier to blend and won’t break while blending like dry, brittle chilis.

    Guajillo Chilis Soaking

    Make the Sauce

    Once chilis are softened, add them to the blender, along with ¼ cup of the soaking water, onion, garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.

    Guajillo Sauce Ingredients in Blender

    Purée until the mixture forms a paste. Empty into a bowl and set aside.

    Guajillo Chili Paste

    Clean the Shrimp

    For the freshest tasting dish, you need to start with the cleanest shrimp. Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp, from head to tail. Then use the point of the knife to remove the vein.

    Deveining Shrimp

    As you clean each shrimp, place in a bowl of water until all shrimp have been cleaned and soaked in water.

    Shrimp in Bowl of Water

    Prepare to Cook

    Drain the shrimp and place in a clean large bowl. Cover with the reserved guajillo chili mixture.

    Shrimp with Guajillo Chili Mixture

    Use a large spoon to mix the shrimp, making sure every prawn is covered with the mixture.

    Shrimp in Guajillo Sauce

    Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for two hours.

    Skewer and Heat

    Once the shrimp have marinated, remove from the refrigerator and get your skewers ready.

    Guajillo Shrimp and Skewers

    Insert the skewer into the center of the first shrimp and push to the top.

    Skewering Shrimp

    Follow with two more shrimp. We recommend no more than three shrimp per skewer.

    Marinated Shrimp on Skewer

    Preheat your griddle or frying pan to medium-high heat. Then add the shrimp skewers and cook for three minutes.

    Mexican Shrimp Skewers on Griddle

    Look how beautifully that sauce drenches the shrimp.

    Cooking Mexican Shrimp

    After three minutes, flip the shrimp and cook another three minutes. Getting toasty!

    Guajillo Shrimp on Griddle

    Serving Mexican Shrimp Skewers

    Serve your shrimp skewers with rice, salad or as an appetizer. For a tangy taste, add lime juice and mayonnaise and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro. The kids will love it!

    Mexican Shrimp with Rice

    More Ways to Serve Mexican Shrimp

    • Sauté sliced bell peppers and jalapeño peppers, add your cooked shrimp, scoop into warm flour tortillas and top with sour cream for the ultimate shrimp fajitas.
    • Serve with our authentic guacamole or a side of veggies, like sautéed zucchini.
    • Serve with a side of quinoa or brown rice and black beans for a nutrition boost.
    Mexican Shrimp Skewers with Rice
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    Mexican Shrimp Skewers

    This shrimp recipe features a very mild guajillo chili sauce made with toasted chilis, garlic, onion, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, water and oregano. Blend the sauce, marinade the shrimp and heat on the griddle for a toasty, tasty dish.
    Course Seafood
    Cuisine Mexican
    Total Time 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 8
    Author Douglas Cullen

    Equipment

    • Blender
    • mixing bowl
    • Kitchen spoon
    • Wooden skewers
    • Cutting board
    • Kitchen knife
    • Griddle or frying pan

    Ingredients

    • 2 ¼ lbs medium shrimp, heads on or off uncooked
    • ¼ white onion diced
    • 8 guajillo chilis
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • ¼ cup cold water
    • 1 tablespoon oregano
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    Prepare the Chilis

    • Cut the tops off the chilis and slice lengthwise to remove the veins and seeds.
    • Preheat a griddle over medium heat. Place the chilis on the griddle and toast 3 minutes.
    • Flip the chilis over and toast 3 minutes on the other side.
    • When the chilis start to smell nice and toasty, remove from the heat and place them in a bowl of water for about 15 minutes to soak and soften. Softer chilis are easier to blend and won’t break while blending like dry, brittle chilis.

    Make the Sauce

    • Once chilis are softened, add them to the blender, along with ¼ cup of the soaking water, onion, garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.
    • Purée until the mixture forms a paste. Empty into a bowl and set aside.

    Clean the Shrimp

    • For the freshest tasting dish, you need to start with the cleanest shrimp. Using a sharp knife, make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp, from head to tail. Then use the point of the knife to remove the vein.
    • As you clean each shrimp, place in a bowl of water until all shrimp have been cleaned and soaked in water.

    Prepare to Cook

    • Drain the shrimp and place in a clean large bowl. Cover with the reserved guajillo chili mixture.
    • Use a large spoon to mix the shrimp, making sure every prawn is covered with the mixture.
    • Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for two hours.

    Skewer and Heat

    • Once the shrimp have marinated, remove from the refrigerator and get your skewers ready.
    • Insert the skewer into the center of the first shrimp and push to the top.
    • Follow with two more shrimp. We recommend no more than three shrimp per skewer.
    • Preheat your griddle or frying pan to medium-high heat. Then add the shrimp skewers and cook for three minutes.
    • After three minutes, flip the shrimp and cook another three minutes.

    Serve Your Shrimp Skewers

    • Serve your shrimp skewers with rice, salad or as an appetizer. For a tangy taste, add lime juice and mayonnaise and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

    Notes

    Substitutions and Additions
    • Frozen shrimp for fresh if you’re really pressed for time
    • Sprinkle with red pepper or black pepper for extra spice

    More Mexican Shrimp Recipes

    • Caldo de Camarón (Shrimp Soup)
    • Shrimp Ceviche Acapulco (Shrimp Cocktail)
    • Garlic Shrimp Tacos
    • Curried Rice with Shrimp

    Mexican Fish Recipes

    • Pescado a la Veracruzana (Veracruz Style Fish)

    More Fish & Seafood

    • Tuna Patties
    • Shrimp Ceviche Acapulco Served with Avocado and Crackers
      Shrimp Ceviche Acapulco
    • Garlic Shrimp Tacos Recipe
      Garlic Shrimp Tacos
    • Fish Tacos with Pico de Gallo

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    Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

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